WiGS Guitar Day - Workshop with Ian Watt

WIMF partners with the thriving Wimbledon classical Guitar Society (WiGS) to offer a range of masterclasses and workshops, for everyone ranging from amateurs to children to aspiring professional players. We are delighted that two outstanding guitarists: Ian Watt and Alexandra Whittingham have agreed to teach.

Described by Classical Guitar Magazine as ‘a guitarist of outstanding skill and originality’, Scottish guitarist, Ian Watt has performed all over the world and won several prizes at major international guitar competitions. Never content to limit himself to the instrument’s solo repertoire, Ian enjoys an extremely varied musical life and collaborates regularly with a variety of composers, musicians and groups, including the Scottish and Welsh Operas, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the Hebrides Ensemble. Highly regarded as a teacher, Ian was previously on the faculty of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and has been giving masterclasses internationally for over a decade. Ian was appointed as a tutor at the Royal Academy of Music earlier this year.

Recognised by The Guardian as “a young 21st-century virtuoso”, Alexandra Whittingham’s creative spirit is reshaping classical music and defying conventions. At the age of 16 she began to film her performances of popular guitar repertoire, rapidly creating a large community of fans worldwide with over 50 million views. Recording has played an important part in Alexandra’s career ever since; she signed an exclusive deal with Decca Classics in 2021. Alexandra performs regularly in the UK and Europe, and her successful North American tour in 2025 lead to further invitations this autumn. After studying at Chetham’s School of Music, where she now teaches alongside her former professor, she went on to gain a scholarship to he Royal Academy of Music and now holds a postgraduate degree, as well as the LRAM teaching qualification. Alexandra is passionate about music education. As well as giving masterclasses around Europe, she also holds workshops and presentations in schools with an aim to involve more young people in classical music.

Observers: £10 for morning or afternoon session / £15 for both sessions. Observers and participants are entitled to 10% off tickets to Laura Snowden's concert at 19.30. Please use code GTR26 when booking online.